dragster demonize: Are Your Apartments Bike Friendly? | Real Estate and Rental ...

dailyinvention Source: Flickr

Do you live in an area with a high bike score? If the term doesn?t sound familiar, Walk Score recently introduced it to illustrate how good a neighborhood is for biking. In addition to their measures for walkability and access to public transportation, a bike score is a great way for renters to see where the community ranks in terms of accessibility and need for alternative transportation during their apartment search.

If your area has a good bike score, or has potential to attract lots of environmentally-friendly commuters, there?s a lot you can do to create a rental environment that?s welcoming to cyclists. For renters who use a bicycle as their primary form of transportation, it?s not only important that their new neighborhood is easy to get around in ? the apartment should also have plenty of space to accommodate their vehicle. Here are a few ways you can make your rental property bike friendly for those who get around on two wheels.

Create a space dedicated to storing bikes.

Have some spare garage or basement space? Create a specified area for secure bike parking. Bike ridership is increasing throughout the country, most notably in urban areas, and as cycling becomes more common, so will the requirement for appropriate bike parking. If your complex doesn?t have garage space, look for a place you can install bike racks, install wall-mounted bike clips in your units, or even allow residents to store their cycles on their balcony. Being bike friendly is all about welcoming the lifestyle and offering perks for those who ride.

Have an in-house bike repair room.

Bicycle maintenance rooms are sprouting up in apartment complexes across the nation to accommodate the bike culture that?s taking hold. Whether your residents have an old cruiser or top-of-the-line bike, a repair room, equipped with all the tools one might need for a tune-up, will make it easy to maintain their lifestyle. Have extra bike-pumps, bike stands, and aprons on hand for renters to work on their bikes.

Create a list of great bike trails in your area.

One easy way to show tenants you?re bike friendly is to create a customized bike trail map for your bikeable trails in your community. Highlight scenic park trails for a sunny weekend, or biking paths to the local farmer?s market. Make your bike guide a part of your welcome package for your newest residents ? it?s another great way to demonstrate that your apartments stand out when it comes to being bike friendly.

Have loaner bikes available for rent.

When a resident has a bike out for repair or even has a guest over, bike rentals will be a huge help in their daily commute. Renters who use bicycles as their primary form of transportation will find this option especially appealing since they won?t have to scramble for an alternative vehicle if their bike suddenly breaks down. To encourage use of your bike rentals, establish a loyalty card system or offer complimentary use to new residents. Don?t forget to provide bike helmets, too!

What kinds of bike friendly amenities do you offer your residents? Share with us in the comments section below!